Tuesday, July 6th, 2010—Bar 177
Day 177—Monday, July 5th, 2010
Grassroots Tavern
Okay, first off, 365 resident artist, “Boris” has been busy putting some new additions to the 365 Bar Store. There are now black T-shirts available in men’s and women’s styles. Just check on the additional colors menu off to the right of the shirt. And in honor of those 365 followers in Australia, “Boris” has set up special, “I Follow Down Under” shirts. They come in four different styles and you have your choice of a regular logo, or if you really want to show you follow down under, there’s an upside down logo as well. The choice is yours! Check it out in the apparel section of the store here: 365 Bar Store. Great job “Boris!” And remember that if you need some artwork for your website, “Boris” is available for freelance work. In addition, “Boris” can create a logo, design a CD or book cover or create just about anything you need. Just send me your request and I’ll pass it along to “Boris.” And, as you’ll see in the next paragraph, it was nice timing for “Boris” to think up this special design for our Australian mates!
I was going to go to Coney Island today, since I have the day off work, but right now it’s 99 degrees here and there’s no way I’m going down in the subway where it always feels about 20 degrees hotter. I didn’t have to go any further than my email to decide what bar to go to instead of journeying to Coney Island (and don’t worry, I will be going there before summer’s over.) I got an email from Rohan, who lives in Melbourne, Australia and said he’d love for me to stop at Grassroots Tavern on St. Marks Place. He said it’s where he hangs out when he’s in town. So that’s today’s bar. See how easy this works? Okay let’s go get beat in the heat!
And we're off, it's hotter than shit out here, I pray the air conditioning is working at Grassroots.
Bank ads on pizza boxes. Is nothing sacred anymore?
Despite the heat, there's a lot of activity in Union Square Park. Artists selling their work and this heady chess game are just part of the action.
And after a sweat-soaked walk, here we are, the Grassrots Tavern on St. Marks Place. Love the neon sign!
And for once, since I'm not working and it's early, I can take advantage of the Happy Hour specials!
Aaahh, the air conditioner is working and the place looks great. Nice tin ceiling and there's plenty of spots at the bar.
Keith was the friendly bartender on duty. Rohan asked in his email to see if John still worked there and he does, but he had the day off today.
Seated next to me was Veronica Saddler, who lives in the neighborhood. Veronica didn't want her picture taken, but she volunteered to take a shot of yours truly. It turns out Veronica is a pinhole photographer (as is 365 commentator Jason Hwang) and here's her website where you can check out her impressive photos: Veronica Saddler Photography.
There's well-worn tables off to the side and in the back of the spacious bar.
Vintage dart boards hang in the back room of the bar.
Riian and Riley were beating the heat at the bar.
Whitney flashes the 365 card while hoisting his drink. Cheers!
And Chris joins the party just in time for me to snap a photo.
Here's some of the beers available. As you can see, you're not going to go broke drinking in here.
Vintage coasters and pitchers hang over the bottles of booze at the bar.
The sun sets on St. Marks.
Robert and Stephanie were enjoying drinks at a side table and were very enthusiastic about the 365 bar crawl project.
A perfect spot on a hot summer day, great suggestion, Rohan! Cheers and goodnight everybody! (Photo by: Veronica Saddler.)
Review
Sometimes it nice to get back to the basics and drink in a no-frills bar, with decently priced drinks and an old-school flavor to it. Grassroots Tavern lives up to its name, it’s an old school New York dive bar and it’s nice that it hasn’t been pushed off the block with a chainstore or bar. Grasroots Tavern has been a fixture on the block since 1974. The bar is long and wooden and definitely shows history of many pitchers of beer and drinks that have been hoisted from it. There’s tables to the side and a back room with functioning dart boards and an antique trophy case. There’s a good selection on the jukebox with artists ranging from Johnny Cash, to Neil Young, to John Lee Hooker to the Pretenders.
There’s a full bar and drinks are cheap. Budweiser and Michelob drafts are just three bucks and you can get a pitcher for nine dollars. Bottled Buds go for $3.50 and a bottle of Heineken or Corona will cost you $4.50. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday with one dollar off pints and two bucks off pitchers, so this place is definitely easy on the pocketbook, which is a good thing these days. You can also get a heaping bowl of popcorn for a buck to soak up some of the suds.
And the air conditioner works, which on a day like this makes the joint a real cool choice. Cheers!
Grassroots Tavern
20 St. Marks Pl. (Between 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
212-475-9443
28 Comments
Reader Comments (28)
Classic neighborhood bar with everything a neighborhood bar needs in it!
My kind of place! And I'm glad the A.C. was working!
Just about as perfect of a bar as you can get,,,,tin ceilings, cheap booze, dark,, Grassroots is still a great place,,,,any "midnight confession"? St Marks place is also home to Holiday Cocktail Lounge which is a great old bar even though the old owner, Stefan passed last year. Check it out next time around, Marty,,,and try to stay cool.
The Grassroots Tavern.
(not to be confused with the "Rob Grill and Bar")
Here are a few "Things I Should Have Said"
I have a "Midnight Confession" to make, I thought I'd have to "Wait A Million Years"
for you to take us here. But "Heaven Knows", "Sooner or Later" you'd find it.
Thanks to Rohan for the tip.
Hell, lets all "Live For Today".
"Boris"
Hey Boris,,congrats,,,,that was very clever,,,,well done,,,long live Rob Grill and the grassroots
@"Boris":: Great Rob Grill comments, I actually met him once, maybe I'll write about it in tomorrow's post. Nice work on the shirts, Daddio!
@Al: I will definitely be stopping by the Holiday Cocktail Lounge, a great bar. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow! What a classic bar! I love the places that are halfway underground - that way, if a tornado whips through town, I won't have to put down my beer. Those barrel barstools rock (and, in my humble opinion, should have never been looked over in favor of "stylish" metal pieces of dookie - how am I supposed to sit and drink all day if my ass keeps falling asleep?) Plus, I love, love, love those pillars and the standing barspace. I'm definitely hitting Grassroots Tavern next time I'm at the WSH. Popcorn makes a delicious breakfast. How early do they open?
A friend of mine played Bass and filled in for Rob when he was going through his surgeries.
He sounded to be very gracious, generous and supportive of it all.
Forgot to mention - the upside down logo is awesome!
@Biff: According to New York magazine (Grassroots doesn't have a website) the hours are 4pm to 4am, but I gotta think they open earlier than that! If not, we'll just get some tallboys and drink outside till they open next time you're in town.
love this bar and the people in it look super-fun! veronicas photos on her website are amazing!
PS
Something else from the "Things I Should Have Said" Files...
I forgot to mention Veronica's photos are indeed amazing!
What great perspectives through the pinhole camera.
Kudos!
"Boris"
Veronica's work is hauntingly beautiful.
Well done Boris!
Marty...way to stay cool!
@365 Beers: Okay! I'll bring my top hat, a ukulele, and hula-hoops. May as well earn some cash while we wait!
@Biff: Good idea, people will throw money at us to shut the hell up!
Grassroots...Guiness...what more needs to be said...KOC
I didn't know you have t-shirts. That's awesome! Sweet bar- can't believe it's freakin 99 degrees. I wouldn't have left my house!
Great old wood :) Does "Boris" ever design tattoos?
Well if you're going to make an Aussie version of your T-Shirt, then I might just have to buy one.
@kari: I'll give "Boris" your email, I'm sure he could come up with something if you need it.
@David Brooks: There's for designs available that "Boris" designed for all our Australian mates. Check them out at the 365 Bars Store!
This place looks sweet. I especially liked the old school cork dart boards. It does get to be a bit of a challenge to keep score after a few drinks. Oh and those "old school pitchers" you mentioned are EVERYWHERE here in Peoria! Good stuff Marty,
@The Chief: I know Chief! Everytime I see them I think of Peoria!
@365 Beers: Just bought a t-shirt (and a couple of stubbie coolers).